TRT's World Cup choice sparks controversy: Show in the stands, commercials on screen
The halftime performances by world-famous artists during the 2026 World Cup final could not be watched by football fans in Turkey. TRT's decision drew intense backlash on social media.
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As Spain and Argentina faced off in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final held in the United States, the halftime show was as highly anticipated as the football match itself.
In the halftime show, which FIFA has made a tradition in every tournament, stars from the world of music such as Shakira, Madonna, Justin Bieber, and BTS took the stage this year. However, TRT, which broadcast the match live in Turkey, did not bring this colorful show to its screens.
During the halftime of the match, TRT opted for a commercial break and sports commentators' analysis of the first half instead of the artists. Football fans experienced the disappointment of not being able to see the halftime show that had been announced days in advance. On social media platforms, numerous users expressed their reactions with messages such as, "Did we miss it again?" and "The whole world watched it, we were condemned to commercials."